Atlantis, the last mission of the space shuttle program, touched down last Thursday. Even before she becomes a permanent museum display, it is imperative that we recommit to the U.S. role as the leader in human space flight.

Meanwhile, NASA’s plan for deep space exploration, requiring development of new heavy lift rockets and crew vehicles, leaves them without a specific destination and timetable. Really, without a mission.

A group of former astronauts and other critics have blasted the agency and the Obama administration for ending the 30-year-old shuttle program, once the cornerstone of NASA. But NASA Administrator Charles Bolden told a National Press Club luncheon that the agency is merely starting a new chapter of space exploration _ not abandoning human space flight.

Speculation that Kelly, the husband of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., might run for Republican Sen. Jon Kyl’s seat or Giffords’ seat if she stepped down, arose when the four-shuttle commander announced last month he plans to retire from NASA and the Navy on Oct. 1.